Goleta will allow Venoco to transport oil using trucks

The city of Goleta issued a notice of decision to Venoco on Aug. 17 that denied an emergency permit application to transport oil using trucks but deemed the work consistent under the existing Ellwood Onshore Facility operating permit and Safety, Inspection, Maintenance and Quality Assurance Plan.

Venoco will evacuate crude oil from tanks and pipelines and transport approximately 5,500 barrels of crude oil from the Ellwood facility to an offsite station using one truck making two round trips per day for a total of 34 truckloads over 17 days. Evacuating the crude oil will allow for required inspections and maintenance of the facility and pipeline.

Truck trips shall be at non-peak traffic hours, and shall not occur between the hours of 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. The city will conduct monitoring and inspections on a daily basis. No additional production of oil from Platform Holly was authorized by the decision.